diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tts/develop.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tts/develop.py
index 48b709df9a..0463047f11 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tts/develop.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tts/develop.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from calibre.gui2.main_window import MainWindow
 from calibre.gui2.tts.manager import TTSManager
 
 TEXT = '''\
-Demonstration 🐈 of DOCX support in calibre
+Demonstration 🐈 of DOCX <3 support in calibre
 
 This document demonstrates the ability of the calibre DOCX Input plugin to convert the various typographic features in a Microsoft Word
 (2007 and newer) document. Convert this document to a modern ebook format, such as AZW3 for Kindles or EPUB for other ebook readers,
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tts/qt.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tts/qt.py
index 0a6d06a8a4..7bb246faaf 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tts/qt.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tts/qt.py
@@ -53,9 +53,11 @@ class QtTTSBackend(TTSBackend):
     def say(self, text: str) -> None:
         self.last_word_offset = 0
         self.last_spoken_word = None
-        self.speaking_text = text
         if self.tts.engine() == 'sapi':
+            # https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2092948
+            text = text.replace('<3', ' 3')
             self.ignore_tracking_until_state_changes_to_speaking = True
+        self.speaking_text = text
         self.tts.say(text)
 
     def error_message(self) -> str: